So, I’m releasing no secret in saying that the New England Patriots are one of my most hated NFL teams. They share that spot with the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens (the Cincinnati Bengals are just a hair behind that). There are many reasons for this. The biggest being Tom Brady. Next, comes Rob Gronkowski and Bill Belichik.

In this Sunday’s game, Gronk was unhappy that there was no pass interference called (and it was pass interference) on a pass in the middle of the game. He’d been called for a few things (all through the season) and, to my understanding (which I know can be incorrect), he’s one of the most penalized TEs in the league. So, when the call isn’t called for him, and after the play, he takes a running start and throws his shoulder directly into the back of Tre’Davious White’s skull. So, White was hit in the back and the front of his helmet was driven into the ground. He was visibly shaken and we found out he entered the concussion protocol. With the concussion epidemic that the league is going through right now, we shouldn’t take any of that as “light.”

Now, he said that he lost his cool and apologized. Okay. But, still, you hit someone while driving under the influence, you can apologize but you shouldn’t just get off scot-free. I’m not saying that I believe he should be suspended just because he’s Gronk and plays on that awful team. I’m not even saying that I think he needs to be suspended, but if you look at what recent suspensions have come from, fights, cheap shots, etc., then you have to at least consider it. Also, if Tre’Davious White misses any time in the concussion protocol, then Gronk needs to be out as long as he is. He didn’t deserve to be put out. It wasn’t a regular play that did it, it was maliciousness. I mean he rared back and launched. Now, if White misses no time, does he still need to be suspended? It’s not for me to say, but, if they want to keep him out Week 15, that would be great. I kid about that part, but seriously, any suspension is up to Goodell and Co. I know he’ll get fined, if not then they’re showing some serious favoritism.

Also, did anyone see the whiney-baby tantrum that Brady threw on the sideline against Josh McDaniel? Instead of a mouth guard, he needs a pacifier. Ahole! That’s inconsequential just wanted to throw it in. What are your thoughts on Gronk? Suspension? Fine? Both? Talk to me, Dear Reader.

I’m at a loss today, Dear Reader. I love football and with that love comes the necessity to
also hate certain aspects. I will say the aspects that I hate the most are Cowboys/Patriots/Ravens and the fans therein. Now, I don’t hate the fans, just listening to them. Also, the fact that there are some mighty fine players out there that I just can’t stand.

Yesterday was one of those days. I watched the Super Bowl with a group of friends and all was going great and fantastic until it didn’t. Tom Brady, one of those “fine players out there that I just can’t stand,” mounted the greatest comeback ever in the Super Bowl, if not ever in sports, altogether. I really, really can’t stand that guy but on the other hand, I have to give props and say that he is absolutely, the best quarterback, if not the best player to ever play in the NFL. His record doesn’t lie, his records don’t lie, his skill doesn’t lie. It’s a shame I don’t like him.

It’s not because it’s not “my guy,” either. I mentioned, already, that I can’t stand the Cowboys but I really like Emmitt Smith, who was a great back and the all-time leading rusher in NFL history. Jerry Rice was a pain in the arse while he was playing but I like him. The list can go on and on. But, man, Brady… He’s amazing. I don’t want him to be amazing, he just is. I don’t like Bill Belichick, the coach, either. But, he’s the best that’s ever coached the game. Cheating scandals notwithstanding and whatever their doing, it still works.

It doesn’t help that the Falcons totally choked. They had a 25 point lead with half of the third and all of the fourth quarters left. They stopped playing about that time. The offense gave out, the defense gave out. They just stopped. You don’t do that with Brady. He showed them why. Don’t like them, either, but they weren’t the Patriots. Oh, well. Until he’s injured badly, he’s going to continue to wreak havoc over the league until he’s just had enough. I hope that’s soon. I’m leaving it at that. I’m done with it.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—“”I hang out with a bunch of 20-years-olds, so that makes you feel pretty young,” – Tom Brady

How do you like the new look? Trying to make it easier on the eyes while keeping a bit to my dark nature. Woo hoo and all that!

So, this weekend wasn’t made for me, obviously. There were four football games, playoff games, mind you, this weekend and I incorrectly picked three of them. I say incorrectly but only two of them did I really care about.

The Carolina Panthers won against the Arizona Cardinals and I don’t care at all. I got into a small debate as to why I would pick some other team over the local darlings, Carolina Panthers, but really, they’re no darlings and I don’t feel anyone should be forced to pull for a team because they’re “local.” I’m not local, even though I’ve lived here for almost 29 years. I am local when it comes to Winston-Salem and business and history, but I have a long history of my favorite sports teams and although I don’t necessarily pull against the Panthers, I don’t don’t necessarily pull for them either.

I’ve discussed, yesterday actually, my Steelers losing and truthfully, they didn’t deserve to win against the Ratbirds. So I won’t go into that one, again.

Then yesterday it was the Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts during the early game. Again, I don’t care. The Bungles are in the AFC North with my beloved Steelers and are who we beat to get the AFC North Championship, but I can’t stand looking at Andrew Luck and his horse-toothed face. Neither team has any chance to beat either the Ratriots or Broncos when they’re at home, so it’s all for naught. The Dolts won, by the way.

2014-15 Playoff Rd 1

Then came the other travesty, the seemingly obvious payoff of the officials by one of the two worst owners in the NFL, Jerry Jones (the other being Daniel Snyder of the Redskins). The Detroit Lions had the game in their grasp and had a drive extended by a blatant pass interference call against the Dallas Cowboys (hereon called Cowpiles or just Piles). It was actually called!!! And both teams moved down to where it was called. Then, inexplicably, it was called off. You can not throw in a “j/k!” whenever you want. If you call it, announce it and move the ball, you can’t just call it off! Anywhat! The Piles “stopped” them and then went down to score and take the lead. Baloney! The Piles are one of the three teams I hate the most (the other two are the Ratbirds and Ratriots), all of whom are still in the playoffs.

Here’s hoping that next week’s games go more my way. Who do I pull for in the Ratriots/Ratbirds game? I have no clue. How about the Denver/Dolts game? Denver, as I like Peyton Manning, but I don’t like the team. *Sigh*

The NFC side is easier for me to pull for. I like Seattle, a lot. I have a childhood tie to a significant, former player and I have always pulled for them, to some extent when they aren’t playing my Steelers. So I will pull for them against the Panthers. I don’t like Green Bay but dislike (read: hate) the Piles even more, so I’ll pull for GB in this one. So I guess I’m going for a Sea/GB matchup for the NFC Championship, which I want Seattle to win. Go ‘Hawks!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—“Football is like life – it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.”– Vince Lombardi

I was wanting to do a year in review but really all that keeps bouncing in my head is the fact that I married the love of my life, The BCPF, in September. We had a dream wedding in a castle in Edinburgh, Scotland. Traveled to London, then to our favorite city in the world, Paris, and Bruges and Brussels. We had a wonderful reception/celebration later in the month with family and friends and great music.

I found a love for writing again, via this blog, with the encouragement of Kristen Daukas.

My boy, 3B, entered his last tween year and will become a teenager in 2015.

3B

I performed several awesome shows with some of my favorite musicians, called Vagabond Saints Society and look forward to the promise of an awesome 2015 season of VSS shows.

The Less Desirables lost Brian as a regular host to move on to a new job, but he is still here in spirit (and will probably be back in 2015, one way or another).

I partied with my DFK friends (they know who they are) many times.

Spent time with my family and had a wonderful time doing so.

I made plans with some great people to start new media projects in 2015.

Bee On Your Way Travel

I left the travel agency that I had been with for almost 3 years and started my own, Bee On Your Way Travel. I hope to serve you and your travel needs in 2015.

I went with Eugene to visit Brian in Richmond and then went to the Skins/Piles game at FedEx Field.

I’m sure there are hundreds of other things I could mention and if I think of them, well, that gives me fodder for blogging. So, here I am telling you, Dear Reader, be safe, be happy. I hope you’ve had a great 2014, have a wonderful New Year’s Eve and have a spectaculicious 2015.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!!

—“Should Old Acquaintance be forgot, and never thought upon; The flames of Love extinguished, and fully past and gone: Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold, that loving Breast of thine; That thou canst never once reflect On Old long syne.” – Robert Burns

Eugene and I came home from Richmond, where we spent time with Brian – a little The Less Desirables reunion – and taking in a Skins game. Eugene harps on the fact that I make it no secret that I am not a fan of the Skins, I’m a Steelers fan, but it’s cool, I enjoyed being up there. Tailgating was fun. Seeing the stadium was fun. Being with my boys was fun. The game, however, was atrocious.

One of the teams I hate the most is the Dallas Cowboys, from here on out referred to as the Cowpiles, and their fans are one of the reasons why. I have plenty of friends who are Cowpiles fans and I’d say most of them aren’t too annoying but the overall consensus is that the fans of the team generally are. At FedEx Field, and at the beginning of the day there was about a 60/40 split on the Skins/Piles fan attendance. Pretty heavy actually considering this was a Skins home game and the rivalry is one of the most storied in the NFL (I personally prefer Steelers/Ravens (old Browns) rivalry), if not all of sports. That was one appeal to me about going to the game, that story. Anywhat! I thought the heft of the Piles attendance was odd, but I thought about it a bit more…

For one, most of the Redskins fans hate the owner of the team, Daniel Snyder. I’ll admit he’s one of my least faves, incidentally Jerry Jones of the Piles is the other. I just think they’re bad for business and the league. The way they handle their teams is comparable to playground whiners taking their ball and going home if they don’t get what they want. They have too much money than they know what to do with and they throw that stuff around like nobody’s business. So why not flip him the proverbial finger in the best way possible? His pocketbook. A low turnout at home doesn’t do well for publicity and therefore the pocketbook. Not that he has any trouble attracting bad publicity on his own. The team name is one thing but his defiance (while somewhat admirable) rubs people the wrong way.

Another reason for the turnout could be the location. Washington DC is a major hub of industry and government. People from all over the country, heck the world, come to DC for work; here more than other larger cities outside of, I’d say, New York, LA and Chicago. And the Piles are one of the biggest selling teams across the country, for whatever reason, it could just be location for them. They’re close to where their team is playing, why not?

As the game progressed and the score was more lopsided, more and more Skins fans left. Which struck me as somewhat odd, too, considering this was their last game of the season, albeit a horrible season, and they won’t see their team again for about 9 months. Also, they certainly paid good money for the tickets. Some people laugh at me when I’m at a movie theater and I stay through the credits. That’s partly because I’m interested in the specifics of the film and partly because, hey! if I paid for the whole movie, I’m going to watch the whole movie. They paid for the whole game, right; not just if they win or lose? I get going to the parking lot early to miss the post-game crowd but c’mon. Where’s the pride in that?

So, we stayed the whole time and watched the crowd become 60/40 Piles to Skins ration and then about 85/15. I felt bad for the Skins fans. There were times where you couldn’t hear any of the chants for the Skins because the Piles fans were so loud. They didn’t let up, I’ll give them that. The game ended up 44-17 and was more a blowout than even what the score indicates.

The fun, though, like I said, was the tailgating. We had parking passes and parked beside a group of friends: some Skins fans, some Piles, where we proceeded to crank some tunes on Eug’s “Tailgator” mp3 amp, drink some fine beer from the area (we bought some for the cooler the night prior), ate crappy sandwiches, good chips, got some shrimp from the dudes next to us and had a rollicking fun time. Lock chairs, beer, music, friends, food. Good stuff.

The Less Desirables – Post Game Shenanigans.

After the game we were pretty much the last ones to leave. We drank a little more beer (not enough to impede driving) and talked a bit. A weird thing happened at that point. I guess I need to preface about the location. We parked and sat in this location because there are a line of trees that enable guys to not have to hunt down a port-a-jon when the time comes. Ok, so after the game we were waiting for traffic to thin when a lovely Latina girl in a Redskins jersey ran up and said, “Okay boys, you’ve got to spot me, I’ve got to pee, so bad!” She then went behind the burnt orange dumpster we stood beside and dropped trow right there. I stood next to her and turned my back so to not look. Brian and Eugene took position to just generally keep an eye out for other people approaching; none did. She peed for what seemed like a full minute and kept giving commentary the whole time. I swear I didn’t look, however, peripheral vision lends a guess that she was bare-a-double-ssed against the dumpster and letting it fly. She then stood up and explained that her sister made her get out of the car and go pee as to not do it in there. She thanked us for being gentlemen and then set about looking for her sister’s car. We probably shouldn’t have let her walk on alone but also, I don’t think it would have been wise to try to detain her. She was a bit inebriated. And like that, she was gone.

We laughed for a minute and opened another beer. After nearly 45 minutes, we decided traffic had subsided enough to leave. That we did. Traffic all the way to Richmond was horrible and add the fact that it was raining, it was sloppy. We picked up some pizza and headed back to Brian’s to watch the Steelers game (which they won, by the way). Good times, indeed.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—“Having this interest here in the redskins is the chief hobby of my life.” – Jack Kent Cooke